Vibration dampening system for a work vehicle with cab dampers

Abstract

A vibration dampening system for a work vehicle may include a cab frame having a plurality of structural frame members, with the structural frame members including a first frame member extending along a first side of the cab frame and a second frame member extending along a second side of the cab frame. The second side is opposite the first side. In addition, the system may include a vibration damper coupled between the first and second frame members. The vibration damper may extend lengthwise between a first end coupled to the first frame member and a second end coupled to the second frame member. The vibration damper is configured to reduce an amount of vibrations being transmitted through the cab frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vibration dampening system for a work vehicle, the system comprising:
 a cab frame including a plurality of structural frame members, the plurality of structural frame members include a first frame member extending along a first side of the cab frame and a second frame member extending along a second side of the cab frame, the second side being opposite the first side; 
 a vibration damper coupled between the first and second frame members, the vibration damper extending lengthwise between a first end coupled to the first frame member and a second end coupled to the second frame member, the vibration damper configured to reduce an amount of vibrations being transmitted through the cab frame; 
 at least one heat transfer member configured to dissipate heat from the vibration damper. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration damper comprises a fluid-actuated damper. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid-actuated damper includes at least one damping cylinder containing a damping fluid. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid-actuated damper is configured as a passive shock absorber. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to actively adjust a parameter associated with the vibration damper to reduce the amount of vibrations being transmitted through the cab frame. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust a damping ratio of the vibration damper. 
     
     
       7. A vibration dampening system for a work vehicle, the system comprising:
 a cab frame including a plurality of structural frame members, the plurality of structural frame members include a first frame member extending along a first side of the cab frame and a second frame member extending along a second side of the cab frame, the second side being opposite the first side; and 
 a vibration damper coupled between the first and second frame members, the vibration damper extending lengthwise between a first end coupled to the first frame member and a second end coupled to the second frame member, the vibration damper configured to reduce an amount of vibrations being transmitted through the cab frame; and 
 a controller configured to actively adjust a parameter associated with the vibration damper to reduce the amount of vibrations being transmitted through the cab frame, 
 wherein the vibration damper comprises an electronically controlled actuator, the controller being configured to control the operation of the actuator to apply a counter-vibrational force to at least one of the first frame member or the second frame member. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a vibration sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the controller being configured to monitor the vibrations being transmitted through the cab frame based on data received from the vibration sensor. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heat transfer member comprises a heat exchanger in fluid communication with a fluid line through which a damping fluid of the vibration damper is directed, the heat exchanger being configured to dissipate heat from the damping fluid. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heat transfer member comprises a plurality of fins positioned along an exterior of the vibration damper, the fins being configured to dissipate heat from the vibration damper via convection. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a fan configured to direct an airflow across the exterior of the vibration damper. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cab frame extends in a heightwise direction between a top end and a bottom end, the vibration damper being coupled between the first and second frame members at a location at or adjacent to the bottom end of the cab frame. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cab frame defines a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, and opposed first and second lateral side extending between the front and rear sides, the first frame member corresponding to a first cross-wise frame member extending between a first pair of vertically extending frame members along the first lateral side of the cab frame, the second frame member corresponding to a second cross-wise frame member extending between a second pair of vertically extending frame members along the second lateral side of the cab frame. 
     
     
       14. A work vehicle, comprising:
 an operator's cab including a cab frame, the cab frame including a plurality of structural frame members, the plurality of structural frame members include a first frame member extending along a first side of the cab frame and a second frame member extending along a second side of the cab frame, the second side being opposite the first side; 
 a chassis including a chassis frame; 
 a suspension assembly configured to support the cab frame relative to the chassis frame; 
 a vibration damper coupled between the first and second frame members, the vibration damper extending lengthwise between a first end coupled to the first frame member and a second end coupled to the second frame member, the vibration damper configured to reduce an amount of vibrations being transmitted through the cab frame; and 
 a controller configured to actively adjust a parameter associated with the vibration damper to reduce the amount of vibrations being transmitted through the cab frame, 
 wherein the vibration damper comprises an electronically controlled actuator, the controller being configured to control the operation of the actuator to apply a counter-vibrational force to at least one of the first frame member or the second frame member. 
 
     
     
       15. The work vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the vibration damper comprises a fluid-actuated damper. 
     
     
       16. The work vehicle  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust a damping ratio of the vibration damper. 
     
     
       17. The work vehicle of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one heat transfer member provided in association with the vibration damper, the at least one heat transfer member being configured to dissipate heat from the vibration damper.